Electronic device and method for managing window

ABSTRACT

An electronic device includes a touch screen display, an input/output interface, a communication circuit, a memory, and a processor, and the processor modifies screen configuration information associated with at least a part of a resolution, a density, and an orientation of a screen output by the electronic device if the electronic device is connected to the external display device through the input/output interface, determines whether a target application to be displayed on the external display device supports resizing of a window that displays an execution screen of the target application, configures a first type of window which is resizable if the target application supports the resizing, configures a second type of window with a fixed size if the target application does not support the resizing, and displays the first type of window or the second type of window on the external display device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0026706 filed on Feb. 28, 2017,in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a technology forconfiguring a window that displays an execution screen of anapplication.

BACKGROUND

Various forms of electronic products have been developed and widely usedwith the development of electronic technologies. Especially, in recentyears, mobile electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablet PCs,wearable devices, and the like, which have a variety of functions havebeen widely used. Due to the convenience of mobile electronic devices,the number of times that the mobile electronic devices are used isgradually increasing. Recently, traffic shares of mobile electronicdevices have been increased to be greater than traffic shares ofconventional PCs, such as desktop computers, laptop computers, or thelike.

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determinationhas been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

Since certain mobile electronic devices have the disadvantage of a smalldisplay area, a technology for displaying a screen of the mobileelectronic device on an external display device connected to the mobileelectronic device has been developed. In this case, the mobileelectronic device may modify the size, resolution, and/or density of thescreen and may reconfigure a user interface (UI) since usability isdecreased when the screen of the mobile electronic device is displayedon the external display device as it is. The mobile electronic devicemay display the reconfigured screen on the external display device. Themobile electronic device may execute an application and may display anexecution screen of the application in a window that occupies a partialarea of the screen. The mobile electronic device may also adjust thesize of the window. However, some of the applications installed in themobile electronic device may not support reconfiguration of the UI andresizing of the window. In the case where the mobile electronic deviceconfigures the screen to display the above-described application on theexternal display device, the screen may not be properly output.

Aspects of the present disclosure are to address at least theabove-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at leastthe advantages described below. Accordingly, certain embodimentsaccording to the present disclosure provide an electronic device and amethod for outputting execution screens of various applications using anexternal display device.

In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, an electronicdevice includes a touch screen display, an input/output interfaceconnected to an external display device, a communication circuit incommunication with a server, a memory, and a processor electricallyconnected to the touch screen display, the input/output interface, thecommunication circuit, and the memory. The processor modifies screenconfiguration information associated with at least a part of aresolution, a density, and an orientation of a screen output by theelectronic device when the electronic device is connected to theexternal display device through the input/output interface, determineswhether a target application to be displayed on the external displaydevice supports resizing of a window that displays an execution screenof the target application, configures a first type of window which isresizable, based on the modified screen configuration information andthe execution screen of the target application when the targetapplication supports the resizing, configures a second type of windowwith a fixed size, based on the modified screen configurationinformation and the execution screen of the target application when thetarget application does not support the resizing, and displays the firsttype of window or the second type of window on the external displaydevice.

In certain embodiments according to the present disclosure, a methodincludes modifying screen configuration information associated with atleast a part of a resolution, a density, and an orientation of a screendisplayed on the electronic device when the electronic device isconnected to an external display device, determining whether a targetapplication to be displayed on the external display device supportsresizing of a window that displays an execution screen of the targetapplication, configuring a first type of window which is resizable,based on the modified screen configuration information and the executionscreen of the target application when the target application supportsthe resizing, configuring a second type of window with a fixed size,based on the modified screen configuration information and the executionscreen of the target application when the target application does notsupport the resizing, and displaying the first type of window or thesecond type of window on the external display device.

In various embodiments according to the present disclosure, anelectronic device includes a housing including a first surface and asecond surface facing away from the first surface, a touch screendisplay exposed through a portion of the first surface, at least onecommunication circuit positioned inside the housing, at least oneprocessor positioned inside the housing and electrically connected tothe touch screen display and the at least one communication circuit, anda memory positioned inside the housing and electrically connected to theat least one processor. The memory stores a first application programincluding a first type of user interface that provides at least onepiece of information about whether a window can be resized, whichorientation the window can have, and/or a resolution on the touch screendisplay, and a second application program including a second type ofuser interface that provides at least one piece of information aboutwhether the window can be resized, which orientation the window canhave, and/or the resolution on the touch screen display. The memorystores instructions that, when executed, cause the at least oneprocessor to detect that the electronic device is in communication withan external display device via the at least one communication circuit,to provide data to the external display device via the at least onecommunication circuit for rendering a user interface on the externaldisplay device, upon detecting that the electronic device is incommunication with the external display device, to cause the externaldisplay device to display a first window that is variable in size,orientation, and/or resolution if the data is associated with the firstapplication program, and to cause the external display device to displaya second window with a selected fixed size, orientation, and/orresolution if the data is associated with the second applicationprogram.

According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, byconfiguring, based on characteristics of applications, windows fordisplaying execution screens of the applications, it is possible tooutput execution screens of various applications in suitable windowsthrough an external display device connected to an electronic device.

In addition, embodiments according to the present disclosure may providevarious effects that are directly or indirectly recognized.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may beadvantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases usedthroughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” aswell as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term“or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and“associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean toinclude, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be containedwithin, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with,cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to orwith, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller”means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least oneoperation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware orsoftware, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should benoted that the functionality associated with any particular controllermay be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely.

Moreover, various functions described below can be implemented orsupported by one or more computer programs, each of which is formed fromcomputer readable program code and embodied in a computer readablemedium. The terms “application” and “program” refer to one or morecomputer programs, software components, sets of instructions,procedures, functions, objects, classes, instances, related data, or aportion thereof adapted for implementation in a suitable computerreadable program code. The phrase “computer readable program code”includes any type of computer code, including source code, object code,and executable code. The phrase “computer readable medium” includes anytype of medium capable of being accessed by a computer, such as readonly memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive, acompact disc (CD), a digital video disc (DVD), or any other type ofmemory. A “non-transitory” computer readable medium excludes wired,wireless, optical, or other communication links that transporttransitory electrical or other signals. A non-transitory computerreadable medium includes media where data can be permanently stored andmedia where data can be stored and later overwritten, such as arewritable optical disc or an erasable memory device.

Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout thispatent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understandthat in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, aswell as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and itsadvantages, reference is now made to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic device in a network environmentaccording to various embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates, in block diagram format, an electronic deviceaccording to various embodiments of this disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates, in block diagram format, a program module accordingto various embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates an operating environment of an electronic deviceaccording to certain embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a connection relationship between an electronicdevice and external devices, according to certain embodiments of thisdisclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a configuration of an electronic device according tosome embodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates, in block diagram format program modules included inan electronic device according to some embodiments;

FIG. 8 illustrates operations of a window management method of anelectronic device according to certain embodiments;

FIG. 9 illustrates a screen output by an electronic device according tosome embodiment;

FIG. 10 illustrates a screen provided by an electronic device accordingto various embodiments;

FIG. 11 illustrates a screen provided by an electronic device accordingto some embodiments;

FIG. 12 illustrates a screen provided by an electronic device accordingto certain embodiments;

FIG. 13 illustrates a screen provided by an electronic device accordingto some embodiments;

FIG. 14 illustrates a resizable window included in a screen provided byan electronic device according to some embodiments;

FIG. 15 illustrates a fixed window included in a screen provided by anelectronic device according to some embodiments;

FIG. 16 illustrates a schematic view of a transformation of coordinatesby an electronic device according to certain embodiments;

FIG. 17 illustrates a schematic view showing aspects of a determinationof screen orientation by an electronic device according to someembodiments; and

FIG. 18 illustrates a schematic view showing aspects of a change ofimage orientation by an electronic device according to some embodiments.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbersare used to depict the same or similar elements, features, andstructures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 18, discussed below, and the various embodiments used todescribe the principles of the present disclosure in this patentdocument are by way of illustration only and should not be construed inany way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the principles of the present disclosure may beimplemented in any suitably arranged system or device.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure may bedescribed with reference to accompanying drawings. Accordingly, those ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that modification, equivalent,and/or alternative on the various embodiments described herein can bevariously made without departing from the scope and spirit of thepresent disclosure. With regard to description of drawings, similarelements may be marked by similar reference numerals.

In this disclosure, the expressions “have”, “may have”, “include” and“comprise”, or “may include” and “may comprise” used herein indicateexistence of corresponding features (e.g., elements such as numericvalues, functions, operations, or components) but do not excludepresence of additional features.

In this disclosure, the expressions “A or B”, “at least one of A or/andB”, or “one or more of A or/and B”, and the like may include any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items. For example,the term “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, or “at least one of A orB” may refer to all of the case (1) where at least one A is included,the case (2) where at least one B is included, or the case (3) whereboth of at least one A and at least one B are included.

The terms, such as “first”, “second”, and the like used in thisdisclosure may be used to refer to various elements regardless of theorder and/or the priority and to distinguish the relevant elements fromother elements, but do not limit the elements. For example, “a firstuser device” and “a second user device” indicate different user devicesregardless of the order or priority. For example, without departing thescope of the present disclosure, a first element may be referred to as asecond element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as afirst element.

It will be understood that when an element (e.g., a first element) isreferred to as being “(operatively or communicatively) coupled with/to”or “connected to” another element (e.g., a second element), it may bedirectly coupled with/to or connected to the other element or anintervening element (e.g., a third element) may be present. In contrast,when an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as being“directly coupled with/to” or “directly connected to” another element(e.g., a second element), it should be understood that there are nointervening element (e.g., a third element).

According to the situation, the expression “configured to” used in thisdisclosure may be used as, for example, the expression “suitable for”,“having the capacity to”, “designed to”, “adapted to”, “made to”, or“capable of”. The term “configured to” must not mean only “specificallydesigned to” in hardware. Instead, the expression “a device configuredto” may mean that the device is “capable of” operating together withanother device or other components. For example, a “processor configuredto (or set to) perform A, B, and C” may mean a dedicated processor(e.g., an embedded processor) for performing a corresponding operationor a generic-purpose processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) oran application processor) which performs corresponding operations byexecuting one or more software programs which are stored in a memorydevice.

Terms used in this disclosure are used to describe specified embodimentsand are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Theterms of a singular form may include plural forms unless otherwisespecified. All the terms used herein, which include technical orscientific terms, may have the same meaning that is generally understoodby a person skilled in the art. It will be further understood thatterms, which are defined in a dictionary and commonly used, should alsobe interpreted as is customary in the relevant related art and not in anidealized or overly formal unless expressly so defined in variousembodiments of this disclosure. In some cases, even if terms are termswhich are defined in this disclosure, they may not be interpreted toexclude embodiments of this disclosure.

An electronic device according to various embodiments of this disclosuremay include at least one of, for example, smartphones, tablet personalcomputers (PCs), mobile phones, video telephones, electronic bookreaders, desktop PCs, laptop PCs, netbook computers, workstations,servers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players(PMPs), Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG-1 or MPEG-2) Audio Layer 3(MP3) players, mobile medical devices, cameras, or wearable devices.According to various embodiments, the wearable device may include atleast one of an accessory type (e.g., watches, rings, bracelets,anklets, necklaces, glasses, contact lens, or head-mounted-devices(HMDs), a fabric or garment-integrated type (e.g., an electronicapparel), a body-attached type (e.g., a skin pad or tattoos), or abio-implantable type (e.g., an implantable circuit).

According to various embodiments, the electronic device may be a homeappliance. The home appliances may include at least one of, for example,televisions (TVs), digital versatile disc (DVD) players, audios,refrigerators, air conditioners, cleaners, ovens, microwave ovens,washing machines, air cleaners, set-top boxes, home automation controlpanels, security control panels, TV boxes (e.g., Samsung HomeSync™,Apple TV™, or Google TV™), game consoles (e.g., Xbox™ or PlayStation™),electronic dictionaries, electronic keys, camcorders, electronic pictureframes, and the like.

According to another embodiment, an electronic device may include atleast one of various medical devices (e.g., various portable medicalmeasurement devices (e.g., a blood glucose monitoring device, aheartbeat measuring device, a blood pressure measuring device, a bodytemperature measuring device, and the like), a magnetic resonanceangiography (MRA), a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a computedtomography (CT), scanners, and ultrasonic devices), navigation devices,Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), event data recorders (EDRs),flight data recorders (FDRs), vehicle infotainment devices, electronicequipment for vessels (e.g., navigation systems and gyrocompasses),avionics, security devices, head units for vehicles, industrial or homerobots, automatic teller's machines (ATMs), points of sales (POSs) ofstores, or internet of things (e.g., light bulbs, various sensors,electric or gas meters, sprinkler devices, fire alarms, thermostats,street lamps, toasters, exercise equipment, hot water tanks, heaters,boilers, and the like).

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may include at leastone of parts of furniture or buildings/structures, electronic boards,electronic signature receiving devices, projectors, or various measuringinstruments (e.g., water meters, electricity meters, gas meters, or wavemeters, and the like). According to various embodiments, the electronicdevice may be one of the above-described devices or a combinationthereof. An electronic device according to an embodiment may be aflexible electronic device. Furthermore, an electronic device accordingto an embodiment of this disclosure may not be limited to theabove-described electronic devices and may include other electronicdevices and new electronic devices according to the development oftechnologies.

Hereinafter, electronic devices according to various embodiments will bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings. In thisdisclosure, the term “user” may refer to a person who uses an electronicdevice or may refer to a device (e.g., an artificial intelligenceelectronic device) that uses the electronic device.

FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic device in a network environment system,according to various embodiments.

Referring to the non-limiting example of FIG. 1, according to variousembodiments, an electronic device 101, a first electronic device 102, asecond electronic device 104, or a server 106 may be connected eachother over a network 162 or a short range communication 164. Theelectronic device 101 may include a bus 110, a processor 120, a memory130, an input/output interface 150, a display 160, and a communicationinterface 170. According to an embodiment, the electronic device 101 maynot include at least one of the above-described elements or may furtherinclude other element(s).

For example, the bus 110 may interconnect the above-described elements110 to 170 and may include a circuit for conveying communications (e.g.,a control message and/or data) among the above-described elements.

The processor 120 may include one or more of a central processing unit(CPU), an application processor (AP), or a communication processor (CP).For example, the processor 120 may perform an arithmetic operation ordata processing associated with control and/or communication of at leastother elements of the electronic device 101.

The memory 130 may include a volatile and/or nonvolatile memory. Forexample, the memory 130 may store commands or data associated with atleast one other element(s) of the electronic device 101. According to anembodiment, the memory 130 may store software and/or a program 140. Theprogram 140 may include, for example, a kernel 141, a middleware 143, anapplication programming interface (API) 145, and/or an applicationprogram (or “an application”) 147. At least a part of the kernel 141,the middleware 143, or the API 145 may be referred to as an “operatingsystem (OS)”.

For example, the kernel 141 may control or manage system resources(e.g., the bus 110, the processor 120, the memory 130, and the like)that are used to execute operations or functions of other programs(e.g., the middleware 143, the API 145, and the application program147). Furthermore, the kernel 141 may provide an interface that allowsthe middleware 143, the API 145, or the application program 147 toaccess discrete elements of the electronic device 101 so as to controlor manage system resources.

The middleware 143 may perform, for example, a mediation role such thatthe API 145 or the application program 147 communicates with the kernel141 to exchange data.

Furthermore, the middleware 143 may process task requests received fromthe application program 147 according to a priority. For example, themiddleware 143 may assign the priority, which makes it possible to use asystem resource (e.g., the bus 110, the processor 120, the memory 130,or the like) of the electronic device 101, to at least one of theapplication program 147. For example, the middleware 143 may process theone or more task requests according to the priority assigned to the atleast one, which makes it possible to perform scheduling or loadbalancing on the one or more task requests.

The API 145 may be, for example, an interface through which theapplication program 147 controls a function provided by the kernel 141or the middleware 143, and may include, for example, at least oneinterface or function (e.g., an instruction) for a file control, awindow control, image processing, a character control, or the like.

The input/output interface 150 may play the role, for example, of aninterface which transmits a command or data input from a user or anotherexternal device, to other element(s) of the electronic device 101.Furthermore, the input/output interface 150 may output a command ordata, received from other element(s) of the electronic device 101, to auser or another external device.

The display 160 may include, for example, a liquid crystal display(LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED)display, a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) display, or anelectronic paper display. The display 160 may display, for example,various contents (e.g., a text, an image, a video, an icon, a symbol,and the like) to a user. The display 160 may include a touch screen andmay receive, for example, a touch, gesture, proximity, or hovering inputusing an electronic pen or a part of a user's body.

For example, the communication interface 170 may establish communicationbetween the electronic device 101 and an external device (e.g., thefirst electronic device 102, the second electronic device 104, or theserver 106). For example, the communication interface 170 may beconnected to the network 162 over wireless communication or wiredcommunication to communicate with the external device (e.g., the secondelectronic device 104 or the server 106).

The wireless communication may use at least one of, for example,long-term evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced (LTE-A), Code Division MultipleAccess (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS), Wireless Broadband (WiBro), GlobalSystem for Mobile Communications (GSM), or the like, as cellularcommunication protocol. Furthermore, the wireless communication mayinclude, for example, the short range communication 164. The short rangecommunication 164 may include at least one of wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi),light fidelity (Li-Fi), Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC),magnetic stripe transmission (MST), a global navigation satellite system(GNSS), or the like.

The MST may generate a pulse in response to transmission data using anelectromagnetic signal, and the pulse may generate a magnetic fieldsignal. The electronic device 101 may transfer the magnetic field signalto point of sale (POS), and the POS may detect the magnetic field signalusing a MST reader. The POS may recover the data by converting thedetected magnetic field signal to an electrical signal.

The GNSS may include at least one of, for example, a global positioningsystem (GPS), a global navigation satellite system (Glonass), a Beidounavigation satellite system (hereinafter referred to as “Beidou”), or anEuropean global satellite-based navigation system (hereinafter referredto as “Galileo”) based on an available region, a bandwidth, or the like.Hereinafter, in this disclosure, “GPS” and “GNSS” may be interchangeablyused. The wired communication may include at least one of, for example,a universal serial bus (USB), a high definition multimedia interface(HDMI), a recommended standard-232 (RS-232), a plain old telephoneservice (POTS), or the like. The network 162 may include at least one oftelecommunications networks, for example, a computer network (e.g., LANor WAN), an Internet, or a telephone network.

Each of the first and second electronic devices 102 and 104 may be adevice of which the type is different from or the same as that of theelectronic device 101. According to an embodiment, the server 106 mayinclude a group of one or more servers. According to variousembodiments, all or a portion of operations that the electronic device101 will perform may be executed by another or plural electronic devices(e.g., the first electronic device 102, the second electronic device 104or the server 106). According to an embodiment, in the case where theelectronic device 101 executes any function or service automatically orin response to a request, the electronic device 101 may not perform thefunction or the service internally, but, alternatively additionally, itmay request at least a portion of a function associated with theelectronic device 101 from another device (e.g., the electronic device102 or 104 or the server 106). The other electronic device may executethe requested function or additional function and may transmit theexecution result to the electronic device 101. The electronic device 101may provide the requested function or service using the received resultor may additionally process the received result to provide the requestedfunction or service. To this end, for example, cloud computing,distributed computing, or client-server computing may be used.

FIG. 2 illustrates in block diagram format an electronic device,according to various embodiments.

Referring to the non-limiting example of FIG. 2, an electronic device201 may include, for example, all or a part of the electronic device 101illustrated in FIG. 1. The electronic device 201 may include one or moreprocessors (e.g., an application processor (AP)) 210, a communicationmodule 220, a subscriber identification module 229, a memory 230, asensor module 240, an input device 250, a display 260, an interface 270,an audio module 280, a camera module 291, a power management module 295,a battery 296, an indicator 297, and a motor 298.

The processor 210 may drive, for example, an operating system (OS) or anapplication to control a plurality of hardware or software elementsconnected to the processor 210 and may process and compute a variety ofdata. For example, the processor 210 may be implemented with a System onChip (SoC). According to an embodiment, the processor 210 may furtherinclude a graphic processing unit (GPU) and/or an image signalprocessor. The processor 210 may include at least a part (e.g., acellular module 221) of elements illustrated in FIG. 2. The processor210 may load a command or data, which is received from at least one ofother elements (e.g., a nonvolatile memory), into a volatile memory andprocess the loaded command or data. The processor 210 may store avariety of data in the nonvolatile memory.

The communication module 220 may be configured the same as or similar tothe communication interface 170 of FIG. 1. The communication module 220may include the cellular module 221, a Wi-Fi module 222, a Bluetooth(BT) module 223, a GNSS module 224 (e.g., a GPS module, a Glonassmodule, a Beidou module, or a Galileo module), a near fieldcommunication (NFC) module 225, a MST module 226 and a radio frequency(RF) module 227.

The cellular module 221 may provide, for example, voice communication,video communication, a character service, an Internet service, or thelike over a communication network. According to an embodiment, thecellular module 221 may perform discrimination and authentication of theelectronic device 201 within a communication network by using thesubscriber identification module (e.g., a SIM card) 229. According to anembodiment, the cellular module 221 may perform at least a portion offunctions that the processor 210 provides. According to an embodiment,the cellular module 221 may include a communication processor (CP).

Each of the Wi-Fi module 222, the BT module 223, the GNSS module 224,the NFC module 225, or the MST module 226 may include a processor forprocessing data exchanged through a corresponding module, for example.According to an embodiment, at least a part (e.g., two or more) of thecellular module 221, the Wi-Fi module 222, the BT module 223, the GNSSmodule 224, the NFC module 225, or the MST module 226 may be includedwithin one Integrated Circuit (IC) or an IC package.

For example, the RF module 227 may transmit and receive a communicationsignal (e.g., an RF signal). For example, the RF module 227 may includea transceiver, a power amplifier module (PAM), a frequency filter, a lownoise amplifier (LNA), an antenna, or the like. According to anotherembodiment, at least one of the cellular module 221, the Wi-Fi module222, the BT module 223, the GNSS module 224, the NFC module 225, or theMST module 226 may transmit and receive an RF signal through a separateRF module.

The subscriber identification module 229 may include, for example, acard and/or embedded SIM that includes a subscriber identificationmodule and may include unique identify information (e.g., integratedcircuit card identifier (ICCID)) or subscriber information (e.g.,integrated mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)).

The memory 230 (e.g., the memory 130) may include an internal memory 232or an external memory 234. For example, the internal memory 232 mayinclude at least one of a volatile memory (e.g., a dynamic random accessmemory (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), or thelike), a nonvolatile memory (e.g., a one-time programmable read onlymemory (OTPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable and programmableROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), amask ROM, a flash ROM, a flash memory (e.g., a NAND flash memory or aNOR flash memory), or the like), a hard drive, or a solid state drive(SSD).

The external memory 234 may further include a flash drive such ascompact flash (CF), secure digital (SD), micro secure digital(Micro-SD), mini secure digital (Mini-SD), extreme digital (xD), amultimedia card (MMC), a memory stick, or the like. The external memory234 may be operatively and/or physically connected to the electronicdevice 201 through various interfaces.

A security module 236 may be a module that includes a storage space ofwhich a security level is higher than that of the memory 230 and may bea circuit that guarantees safe data storage and a protected executionenvironment. The security module 236 may be implemented with a separatecircuit and may include a separate processor. For example, the securitymodule 236 may be in a smart chip or a secure digital (SD) card, whichis removable, or may include an embedded secure element (eSE) embeddedin a fixed chip of the electronic device 201. Furthermore, the securitymodule 236 may operate based on an operating system (OS) that isdifferent from the OS of the electronic device 201. For example, thesecurity module 236 may operate based on java card open platform (JCOP)OS.

The sensor module 240 may measure, for example, a physical quantity ormay detect an operation state of the electronic device 201. The sensormodule 240 may convert the measured or detected information to anelectric signal. For example, the sensor module 240 may include at leastone of a gesture sensor 240A, a gyro sensor 240B, a barometric pressuresensor 240C, a magnetic sensor 240D, an acceleration sensor 240E, a gripsensor 240F, the proximity sensor 240G, a color sensor 240H (e.g., red,green, blue (RGB) sensor), a biometric sensor 240I, atemperature/humidity sensor 240J, an illuminance sensor 240K, or an UVsensor 240M. Although not illustrated, additionally or generally, thesensor module 240 may further include, for example, an E-nose sensor, anelectromyography (EMG) sensor, an electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor, anelectrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, an iris sensor,and/or a fingerprint sensor. The sensor module 240 may further include acontrol circuit for controlling at least one or more sensors includedtherein. According to an embodiment, the electronic device 201 mayfurther include a processor that is a part of the processor 210 orindependent of the processor 210 and is configured to control the sensormodule 240. The processor may control the sensor module 240 while theprocessor 210 remains at a sleep state.

The input device 250 may include, for example, a touch panel 252, a(digital) pen sensor 254, a key 256, or an ultrasonic input unit 258.For example, the touch panel 252 may use at least one of capacitive,resistive, infrared and ultrasonic detecting methods. Also, the touchpanel 252 may further include a control circuit. The touch panel 252 mayfurther include a tactile layer to provide a tactile reaction to a user.

The (digital) pen sensor 254 may be, for example, a part of a touchpanel or may include an additional sheet for recognition. The key 256may include, for example, a physical button, an optical key, a keypad,or the like. The ultrasonic input device 258 may detect (or sense) anultrasonic signal, which is generated from an input device, through amicrophone (e.g., a microphone 288) and may check data corresponding tothe detected ultrasonic signal.

The display 260 (e.g., the display 160) may include a panel 262, ahologram device 264, or a projector 266. The panel 262 may be the sameas or similar to the display 160 illustrated in FIG. 1. The panel 262may be implemented, for example, to be flexible, transparent orwearable. The panel 262 and the touch panel 252 may be integrated into asingle module. The hologram device 264 may display a stereoscopic imagein a space using a light interference phenomenon. The projector 266 mayproject light onto a screen so as to display an image. For example, thescreen may be arranged in the inside or the outside of the electronicdevice 201. According to an embodiment, the display 260 may furtherinclude a control circuit for controlling the panel 262, the hologramdevice 264, or the projector 266.

The interface 270 may include, for example, a high-definition multimediainterface (HDMI) 272, a universal serial bus (USB) 274, an opticalinterface 276, or a D-subminiature (D-sub) 278. The interface 270 may beincluded, for example, in the communication interface 170 illustrated inFIG. 1. Additionally or generally, the interface 270 may include, forexample, a mobile high definition link (MHL) interface, a SDcard/multi-media card (MMC) interface, or an infrared data association(IrDA) standard interface.

The audio module 280 may convert a sound and an electric signal in dualdirections. At least a part of the audio module 280 may be included, forexample, in the input/output interface 150 illustrated in FIG. 1. Theaudio module 280 may process, for example, sound information that isinput or output through a speaker 282, a receiver 284, an earphone 286,or the microphone 288.

For example, the camera module 291 may shoot a still image or a video.According to an embodiment, the camera module 291 may include at leastone or more image sensors (e.g., a front sensor or a rear sensor), alens, an image signal processor (ISP), or a flash (e.g., an LED or axenon lamp).

The power management module 295 may manage, for example, power of theelectronic device 201. According to an embodiment, a power managementintegrated circuit (PMIC), a charger IC, or a battery or fuel gauge maybe included in the power management module 295. The PMIC may have awired charging method and/or a wireless charging method. The wirelesscharging method may include, for example, a magnetic resonance method, amagnetic induction method or an electromagnetic method and may furtherinclude an additional circuit, for example, a coil loop, a resonantcircuit, or a rectifier, and the like. The battery gauge may measure,for example, a remaining capacity of the battery 296 and a voltage,current or temperature thereof while the battery is charged. The battery296 may include, for example, a rechargeable battery and/or a solarbattery.

The indicator 297 may display a specific state of the electronic device201 or a part thereof (e.g., the processor 210), such as a bootingstate, a message state, a charging state, and the like. The motor 298may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical vibration and maygenerate the following effects: vibration, haptic, and the like.Although not illustrated, a processing device (e.g., a GPU) forsupporting a mobile TV may be included in the electronic device 201. Theprocessing device for supporting the mobile TV may process media dataaccording to the standards of digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB),digital video broadcasting (DVB), MediaFlo™, or the like.

Each of the above-mentioned elements of the electronic device accordingto various embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured withone or more components, and the names of the elements may be changedaccording to the type of the electronic device. In various embodiments,the electronic device may include at least one of the above-mentionedelements, and some elements may be omitted or other additional elementsmay be added. Furthermore, some of the elements of the electronic deviceaccording to various embodiments may be combined with each other so asto form one entity, so that the functions of the elements may beperformed in the same manner as before the combination.

FIG. 3 illustrates in block diagram format, a program module, accordingto various embodiments of this disclosure.

According to certain embodiments, a program module 310 (e.g., theprogram 140) may include an operating system (OS) to control resourcesassociated with an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 101),and/or diverse applications (e.g., the application program 147) drivenon the OS. The OS may be, for example, Android™, iOS™, Windows™,Symbian™, or Tizen™.

The program module 310 may include a kernel 320, a middleware 330, anapplication programming interface (API) 360, and/or an application 370.At least a portion of the program module 310 may be preloaded on anelectronic device or may be downloadable from an external electronicdevice (e.g., the first electronic device 102, the second electronicdevice 104, the server 106, or the like).

The kernel 320 (e.g., the kernel 141) may include, for example, a systemresource manager 321 or a device driver 323. The system resource manager321 may perform control, allocation, or retrieval of system resources.According to an embodiment, the system resource manager 321 may includea process managing unit, a memory managing unit, or a file systemmanaging unit. The device driver 323 may include, for example, a displaydriver, a camera driver, a Bluetooth driver, a shared memory driver, aUSB driver, a keypad driver, a Wi-Fi driver, an audio driver, or aninter-process communication (IPC) driver.

The middleware 330 may provide, for example, a function that theapplication 370 needs in common, or may provide diverse functions to theapplication 370 through the API 360 to allow the application 370 toefficiently use limited system resources of the electronic device.According to an embodiment, the middleware 330 (e.g., the middleware143) may include at least one of a runtime library 335, an applicationmanager 341, a window manager 342, a multimedia manager 343, a resourcemanager 344, a power manager 345, a database manager 346, a packagemanager 347, a connectivity manager 348, a notification manager 349, alocation manager 350, a graphic manager 351, a security manager 352, anextended screen manager, or a payment manager 354.

The runtime library 335 may include, for example, a library module thatis used by a compiler to add a new function through a programminglanguage while the application 370 is being executed. The runtimelibrary 335 may perform input/output management, memory management, orcapacities about arithmetic functions.

The application manager 341 may manage, for example, a life cycle of atleast one application of the application 370. The window manager 342 maymanage a graphic user interface (GUI) resource that is used in a screen.The multimedia manager 343 may identify a format necessary for playingdiverse media files, and may perform encoding or decoding of media filesby using a codec suitable for the format. The resource manager 344 maymanage resources such as a storage space, memory, or source code of atleast one application of the application 370.

The power manager 345 may operate, for example, with a basicinput/output system (BIOS) to manage capacity of a battery, temperature,or power, and may determine and provide power information for anoperation of an electronic device by using corresponding informationfrom among the capacity of a battery, temperature, or power. Thedatabase manager 346 may generate, search for, or modify database thatis to be used in at least one application of the application 370. Thepackage manager 347 may install or update an application that isdistributed in the form of package file.

The connectivity manager 348 may manage, for example, wirelessconnection such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The notification manager 349 maydisplay or notify an event such as arrival message, appointment, orproximity notification in a mode that does not disturb a user. Thelocation manager 350 may manage location information about an electronicdevice. The graphic manager 351 may manage a graphic effect that isprovided to a user, or manage a user interface relevant thereto. Thesecurity manager 352 may provide a general security function necessaryfor system security, user authentication, or the like. According to anembodiment, the extended screen manager 453 may manage information to beprovided, a graphic effect, or a user interface associated with theinformation to be provided or the graphic effect, through the area of adisplay determined such that a graphic image is displayed.

According to an embodiment, in the case where an electronic device(e.g., the electronic device 101) includes a telephony function, themiddleware 330 may further include a telephony manager for managing avoice or video call function of the electronic device. The middleware330 may include a middleware module that combines diverse functions ofthe above-described elements. The middleware 330 may provide a modulespecialized to each OS kind to provide differentiated functions.Additionally, the middleware 330 may dynamically remove a part of thepreexisting elements or may add new elements thereto.

The API 360 (e.g., the API 145) may be, for example, a set ofprogramming functions and may be provided with a configuration that isvariable depending on an OS. For example, in the case where an OS isAndroid™ or iOS™, it may provide one API set per platform. In the casewhere an OS is Tizen™, it may provide two or more API sets per platform.

The application 370 (e.g., the application program 147) may include, forexample, one or more applications capable of providing functions for ahome 371, a dialer 372, an SMS/MMS 373, an instant message (IM) 374, abrowser 375, a camera 376, an alarm 377, a contact 378, a voice dial379, an e-mail 380, a calendar 381, a media player 382, an album 383, atimepiece 384, a payment 385 or for offering health care (e.g.,measuring an exercise quantity, blood sugar, or the like) or environmentinformation (e.g., information of barometric pressure, humidity,temperature, or the like).

According to some embodiments, the application 370 may include anapplication (hereinafter referred to as “information exchangingapplication” for descriptive convenience) to support informationexchange between an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 101)and an external electronic device (e.g., the first electronic device 102or the second electronic device 104). The information exchangingapplication may include, for example, a notification relay applicationfor transmitting specific information to an external electronic device,or a device management application for managing the external electronicdevice.

For example, the notification relay application may include a functionof transmitting notification information, which arise from otherapplications (e.g., applications for SMS/MMS, e-mail, health care, orenvironmental information), to an external electronic device.Additionally, the information exchanging application may receive, forexample, notification information from an external electronic device andprovide the notification information to a user.

The device management application may manage (e.g., install, delete, orupdate), for example, at least one function (e.g., turn-on/turn-off ofan external electronic device itself (or a part of elements) oradjustment of brightness (or resolution) of a display) of the externalelectronic device which communicates with the electronic device, anapplication running in the external electronic device, or a service(e.g., a call service, a message service, or the like) provided from theexternal electronic device.

According to various embodiments, the application 370 may include anapplication (e.g., a health care application of a mobile medical device)that is assigned in accordance with an attribute of an externalelectronic device. According to an embodiment, the application 370 mayinclude an application that is received from an external electronicdevice (e.g., the first electronic device 102, the second electronicdevice 104, or the server 106). According to an embodiment, theapplication 370 may include a preloaded application or a third partyapplication that is downloadable from a server. The names of elements ofthe program module 310 according to the embodiment may be modifiabledepending on kinds of operating systems.

According to various embodiments, at least a portion of the programmodule 310 may be implemented by software, firmware, hardware, or acombination of two or more thereof. At least a portion of the programmodule 310 may be implemented (e.g., executed), for example, by theprocessor (e.g., the processor 210). At least a portion of the programmodule 310 may include, for example, modules, programs, routines, setsof instructions, processes, or the like for performing one or morefunctions.

FIG. 4 illustrates an operating environment of an electronic deviceaccording to some embodiments.

Referring to the non-limiting example of FIG. 4, an electronic device400 according to some embodiments may be connected to an intermediarydevice 20 and an external display device 10. The electronic device 400may be, for example, a mobile device, such as a smartphone, a tablet PC,a wearable device, or the like. The size of the electronic device 400may be limited for portability, and therefore a touch screen displayincluded in the electronic device 400 may also have a limitation insize.

The electronic device 400 may be connected to the external displaydevice 10 through the intermediary device 20. The intermediary device 20may be, for example, a dock (or a docking station). The electronicdevice 400 may be placed on the intermediary device 20. The electronicdevice 400 may be connected to the intermediary device 20 through, forexample, an input/output interface, such as a USB port. The intermediarydevice 20 may connect the electronic device 400 and the external displaydevice 10. Although FIG. 4 illustrates that the electronic device 400 isconnected to the external display device 10 through the intermediarydevice 20, the electronic device 400, without being limited thereto, maybe connected to the external display device 10 through a cable or in awireless manner.

When the electronic device 400 is connected to the external displaydevice 10, the electronic device 400 may output a screen through theexternal display device 10. The electronic device 400 may reconfigure ascreen displayed on the touch screen display thereof and may output thereconfigured screen through the external display device 10. In thiscase, the electronic device 400 may provide a UI or UX similar to usinga desktop to a user through the external display device 10. Theelectronic device 400 may configure a window (e.g., a first window 11and a second window 12) occupying a partial area or the entire area ofthe screen output through the external display device 10 to display anexecution screen of an application. The electronic device 400 maydetermine whether the corresponding application supports resizing of thewindow. For example, the electronic device 400 may determine whether thecorresponding application supports a window of the Windows operatingsystem or a freeform window of the Android operating system. Dependingon whether the corresponding application supports resizing of thewindow, the electronic device 400 may configure a window havingappropriate characteristics for the corresponding application.

In some embodiments, electronic device 400 may be wiredly or wirelesslyconnected to an external input device, such as a keyboard 31, a mouse32, or the like. The electronic device 400 may receive a user inputthrough the keyboard 31 or the mouse 32. A user may control theelectronic device 400 by using the keyboard 31 or the mouse 32. Theelectronic device 400 may also receive a user input through the touchscreen display thereof.

FIG. 5 illustrates, in block diagram format, a connection relationshipbetween an electronic device and external devices, according to someembodiments of this disclosure.

Referring to the non-limiting example of FIG. 5, the electronic device400 according to certain embodiments may be in communication with theexternal display device 10, the intermediary device 20, an externalinput device 30, and the server 40. The electronic device 400 may be amobile device, such as a smartphone, a tablet PC, a wearable device, orthe like, which is capable of providing a UI and/or UX similar to adesktop to a user by using the external display device 10. Theelectronic device 400 may be connected to the external display device 10through the intermediary device 20, such as a dock. The electronicdevice 400 may be connected to the external display device 10 through acable (e.g., an HDMI cable) or in a wireless manner.

The external display device 10, when connected to the electronic device400, may display a screen processed by the electronic device 400. Theexternal display device 10 may be one of various devices, such as amonitor, TV, and the like, which include a display.

The external input device 30 may transmit a user input to the electronicdevice 400. The external input device 30 may be one of various devices,such as a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, which are capable ofreceiving a user input. The external input device 30 may be connected tothe electronic device 400 directly or through the intermediary device20. The external input device 30 may be wirelessly or wiredly connectedto the intermediary device 20 or the electronic device 400. In the casewhere the electronic device 400 is connected to the external displaydevice 10, the electronic device 400 may provide a UI or UX similar to adesktop in response to an input to the external input device 30. Forexample, in the case where the electronic device 400 is connected to theexternal display device 10, the electronic device 400 may provide acontext menu in response to an input to a right button of a mouse.

The server 40 may be in wireless communication with the electronicdevice 400. The server 40 may store a list (a white list) ofapplications that support resizing of a window. The server 40 may alsostore a list (a black list) of applications that cannot be executed whenthe electronic device 400 is connected to the external display device10. The lists stored in the server 40 may be consistently updated. Theserver 40 may transmit the lists to the electronic device 400. Accordingto an embodiment, the server 40 may transmit, to the electronic device400, a list of applications installed in the electronic device 400,among the lists stored in the server 40.

FIG. 6 illustrates, in block diagram format, a configuration of anelectronic device according to various embodiments of this disclosure.

Referring to the non-limiting example of FIG. 6, the electronic device400 according to an embodiment may include a touch screen display 410,an input/output interface 420, a communication circuit 430, a memory440, and a processor 450.

The touch screen display 410 may detect a touch input and may output ascreen. For example, the touch screen display 410 may include a touchpanel for detecting a touch input and a display panel for outputting animage. The touch screen display 410 may not output a screen in the casewhere the electronic device 400 is connected to the external displaydevice 10. The touch screen display 410 may detect a touch input even inthe case where the electronic device 400 is connected to the externaldisplay device 10.

The input/output interface 420 may be connected to the external displaydevice 10. The input/output interface 420 may be wirelessly or wiredlyconnected to the external display device 10. The input/output interface420 may be connected to the external display device 10 through anintermediary device, such as a dock, or through a cable. Theinput/output interface 420 may be one of various interfaces, such as aUSB, an HDMI, a D-SUB, an optical interface, and the like. Theinput/output interface 420 may be a communication interface that is inwireless communication with the external display device 10.

The communication circuit 430 may be in communication with the server40. The communication circuit 430 may receive information from theserver 40. For example, the communication circuit 430 may receive, fromthe server 40, a list (a white list) of applications that supportresizing of a window and/or a list (a black list) of applications thatcannot be executed when the electronic device 400 is connected to theexternal display device 10. The communication circuit 430 may be incommunication with the server 40 by a communication method, such as LTE,Wi-Fi, or the like.

The memory 440 may include a volatile memory and/or a non-volatilememory. For example, the memory 440 may store one or more applications.In another example, the memory 440 may store a first launcher for thetouch screen display 410 and a second launcher for the external displaydevice 10. The memory 440 may store an operating system of theelectronic device 400 and may also store a framework included in theoperating system. Program modules stored in the memory 440 will bedescribed below in detail with reference to FIG. 7.

The processor 450 may be electrically connected to the touch screendisplay 410, the input/output interface 420, the communication circuit430, and the memory 440. The processor 450 may control the touch screendisplay 410, the input/output interface 420, the communication circuit430, and the memory 440.

According to certain embodiments, the processor 450 may execute thefirst launcher for the touch screen display 410 while the electronicdevice 400 is disconnected from the external display device 10. Thefirst launcher may provide a UI and UX appropriate for the touch screendisplay 410. The processor 450 may display an execution screen of thefirst launcher on the touch screen display 410.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device 400 may beconnected to the external display device 10 through the input/outputinterface 420. The electronic device 400 may be connected to theexternal display device 10 through a cable connected to the input/outputinterface 420 or through an intermediary device (e.g., a dock). Theprocessor 450 may recognize the connection between the electronic device400 and the external display device 10. Even in the case where theelectronic device 400 is connected to the intermediary device, which isconnected to the external display device 10, through the input/outputinterface 420, the processor 450 may recognize that the electronicdevice 400 is connected to the external display device 10.

According to at least one embodiment, the processor 450 may modifyscreen configuration information when the electronic device 400 isconnected to the external display device 10 through the input/outputinterface 420. The screen configuration information may be associatedwith at least some of the resolution, density, and orientation (portraitor landscape) of a screen output by the electronic device 400. Theelectronic device 400 may store screen configuration information thatincludes resolution information and density information that correspondto the touch screen display 410 and orientation information about anorientation in which a screen is displayed on the touch screen display410. The processor 450 may modify the screen configuration informationto output the screen through the external display device 10 when theelectronic device 400 is connected to the external display device 10.The processor 450 may modify the screen configuration information to aspecified value when the electronic device 400 is connected to theexternal display device 10 through the input/output interface 420. Forexample, the processor 450 may modify the resolution information to1920×1080 (FHD), the density information to 160 dpi (MDPI), and theorientation information to landscape when the electronic device 400 isconnected to the external display device 10. In another example, theprocessor 450 may modify the screen configuration information, based oninformation about the external display device 10 when the electronicdevice 400 is connected to the external display device 10 through theinput/output interface 420. The processor 450 may modify the resolutioninformation, the density information, and the orientation information,based on specifications of the external display device 10.

According to some embodiments, the processor 450 may execute the secondlauncher for the external display device 10 when the electronic device400 is connected to the external display device 10 through theinput/output interface 420. The second launcher may provide a UI and UXappropriate for the external display device 10. An execution screen ofthe second launcher will be described below in detail with reference toFIGS. 9 to 11.

According to some embodiments, the processor 450 may determine whether atarget application to be displayed on the external display device 10supports resizing of a window that displays an execution screen of thetarget application. The processor 450 may determine whether anapplication being executed in the electronic device 400 when theelectronic device 400 is connected to the external display device 10 oran application executed after the electronic device 400 is connected tothe external display device 10 supports resizing. For example, theprocessor 450 may determine whether the target application supportsresizing, based on information included in a manifest of the targetapplication. The manifest of the target application may include adeclaration representing whether to support resizing. The processor 450may determine whether the target application supports resizing, based onthe declaration included in the manifest. In another example, theprocessor 450 may determine whether the target application supportsresizing, based on whether the target application is a preloadapplication or not. The processor 450 may determine the preloadapplication to be an application that supports resizing. In anotherexample, the processor 450 may determine whether the target applicationsupports resizing, based on a list received from the server 40. If thetarget application is included in a white list, the processor 450 maydetermine that the target application supports resizing.

According to certain embodiments, if the target application supportsresizing, the processor 450 may configure a first type of window whichis resizable, based on the modified screen configuration information andthe execution screen of the target application. For example, theprocessor 450 may configure the first type of window, which includes theexecution screen of the target application, in at least a partial areaof a landscape screen with 1920×1080 (FHD) and 160 dpi (MDPI). Theprocessor 450 may reconfigure the execution screen of the targetapplication, based on information stored in advance in the targetapplication. For example, the processor 450 may modify the size and/orposition of text, an image, a UI, and/or UX included in the executionscreen of the target application. The target application that supportsresizing may include information about a configuration of the screenaccording to the size of the window. The processor 450 may generate, inat least a partial area of the screen, the first type of windowincluding the reconfigured execution screen.

According to at least one embodiment, the processor 450 may display thefirst type of window on the external display device 10 after the firsttype of window is configured. The processor 450 may display the firsttype of window, which includes the execution screen of the targetapplication, in at least a partial area of the external display device10. The processor 450 may provide the screen including the first type ofwindow to the external display device 10. The processor 450 may resizethe first type of window after the first type of window is displayed onthe external display device 10. After the first type of window isresized, the processor 450 may reconfigure the execution screen of thetarget application, which is included in the first type of window, basedon information stored in advance in the target application to fit thesize of the first type of window.

According to certain embodiments, if the target application does notsupport resizing, the processor 450 may configure a second type ofwindow with a fixed size, based on the modified screen configurationinformation and the execution screen of the target application. Forexample, the processor 450 may configure the second type of window,which includes the execution screen of the target application, in apartial area of a landscape screen with 1920×1080 (FHD) and 160 dpi(MDPI). For example, the processor 450 may configure the second type ofwindow with the same size as that of the touch screen display 410. Inanother example, the processor 450 may configure the second type ofwindow with the same aspect ratio as that of the touch screen display410. The processor 450 may generate, in a partial area of the screen,the second type of window that includes the execution screen of thetarget application and has the same configuration as that of theexecution screen of the target application when the execution screen ofthe target application is displayed on the touch screen display 410.

According to various embodiments, the processor 450 may display thesecond type of window on the external display device 10 after the secondtype of window is configured. The processor 450 may display the secondtype of window, which includes the execution screen of the targetapplication, in a partial area of the external display device 10. Theprocessor 450 may provide the screen including the second type of windowto the external display device 10. Resizing of the second type of windowmay not be allowed after the second type of window is output.

According to some embodiments, when an input is applied to a point inthe second type of window, the processor 450 may recognize coordinateswhere the input is applied, may transform the recognized coordinates,based on the modified screen configuration information and the positionof the second type of window, and may execute an operation of the targetapplication that corresponds to the input to the transformedcoordinates. The transformation of the coordinates will be describedbelow in detail with reference to FIG. 16.

FIG. 7 illustrates, in block diagram format, program modules included inan electronic device according to various embodiments of thisdisclosure.

Referring to the non-limiting example of FIG. 7, the electronic device400 according to certain embodiments may store a first application 710,a second application 720, a third application 730, a normal modelauncher 740, a desktop mode launcher 750, a framework 760, resources770, a configuration 780, and display info 790. The program modulesillustrated in FIG. 7 may be stored in the memory 440 of FIG. 6 and maybe executed by the processor 450 of FIG. 6.

According to the non-limiting example of FIG. 7, electronic device 400may store the plurality of applications 710, 720, and 730. In FIG. 7,the electronic device 400 is illustrated as storing the threeapplications 710, 720, and 730. Without being limited thereto, however,the electronic device 400 may store any number of applications. Each ofthe applications 710, 720, and 730 may include a plurality ofactivities. For example, the first application 710 may include a firstactivity 711, a second activity 712, and a third activity 713. In FIG.7, the first application 710 is illustrated as including the threeactivities 711, 712, and 713. Without being limited thereto, however,the first application 710 may include any number of activities. Theactivities may require only a landscape screen, only a portrait screen,or both a landscape screen and a portrait screen.

The normal mode launcher 740 may be executed in the case where theelectronic device 400 is disconnected from an external display device.The normal mode launcher 740 may provide a UI and UX, such as a homescreen displayed on the touch screen display 410.

The desktop mode launcher 750 may be executed in the case where theelectronic device 400 is connected to an external display device. Whenthe electronic device 400 is connected to the external display device,the desktop mode launcher 750 may provide an introduction to a desktopmode and may provide an execution or mirroring connection option of thedesktop mode. The desktop mode launcher 750 may provide a UI or UXsimilar to a desktop displayed on the external display device. Thedesktop mode launcher 750 may support resizing of a resizable window.

The desktop mode launcher 750 may include a white list update service751 and a white list database 752. The white list update service 751 mayobtain, from a server, a white list that is a list of applications thatsupport resizing. For example, the white list update service 751 mayinquire the server as to whether the white list is updated, everyspecified period by using an alarm service after the desktop modelauncher 750 is executed. The white list update service 751 may obtain aURI of a white list file and may download the white list file by usingan API provided by a contents cloud server. In another example, if thewhite list is updated, the server may convey the white list to a policymanager 763 in the framework 760. The policy manager 763 may store thewhite list in a policy database. The white list update service 751 mayreceive the white list from the policy manager 763 and may store thewhite list in the white list database 752. The white list database 752may store the name of an application and/or a package that supportsresizing. The white list database 752 may also store the name of anapplication that supports resizing, among the applications installed inthe electronic device 400, and/or the name of a package that supportsresizing.

The framework 760 may include a desktop mode service 761, a desktop modepolicy manager 762, the policy manager 763, a window manager 765, anactivity manager 766, and multi-window manager 767.

The desktop mode service 761 may obtain information associated withresizing of an application when the application is executed. Forexample, the desktop mode service 761 may obtain information about adeclaration of resizing that is included in a manifest of theapplication, whether the application is a preload application or not, orwhether the application is included in the white list.

The desktop mode policy manager 762 may receive the information obtainedby the desktop mode service 761. Based on the received information, thedesktop mode policy manager 762 may determine whether to generate afirst type of window or a second type of window to display an executionscreen of the application. The desktop mode policy manager 762 mayconvey the determination result to the desktop mode service 761, and thedesktop mode service 761 may provide a service based on the receivedresult.

The window manager 765 may modify the configuration 780. The windowmanager 765 may generate a window based on the modified configuration780. For example, when the configuration 780 is modified, the windowmanager 765 may generate a configuration modification event and maygenerate a window based on the modified configuration 780. The windowmanager 765 may display icons for providing functions, such as back,minimize, maximize, and/or close, in a header at the top of the window.For example, when generating a resizable window (a popup window) thatoccupies a partial area of a screen, the window manager 765 may displayicons for providing functions, such as back, minimize, maximize, andclose, in a header at the top of the window. In another example, whengenerating a resizable window that occupies the entirety of a screen,the window manager 765 may display icons for providing functions, suchas back, minimize, change to popup window, and close, in a header at thetop of the window. In another example, when generating a non-rotatablewindow with a fixed size, the window manager 765 may display icons forproviding functions, such as back, minimize, and close, in a header atthe top of the window. In another example, when generating a rotatablewindow with a fixed size, the window manager 765 may display icons forproviding functions, such as back, rotate, minimize, and close, in aheader at the top of the window.

After the configuration 780 is modified, the activity manager 766 mayobtain the modified configuration 780 from the window manager 765. Theactivity manager 766 may allow a resource manager to refine theresources 770, based on the modified configuration 780. The activitymanager 766 may allow the application or activities included in theapplication to configure a screen based on the modified configuration780.

The multi-window manager 767 may provide, for example, a window-relatedfunction not being supported by the window manager 765. For example, themulti-window manager 767 may generate a second type of window. Inanother example, the multi-window manager 767 may provide a function ofminimizing a window. In another example, the multi-window manager 767may generate an additional window including icons for providingfunctions, such as back, minimize, maximize, and/or close, and maydispose the additional window near the window in which the executionscreen of the application is displayed.

The resources 770 may be resources of the activities included in theapplication. Activity resources 771 may include, for example,information about an image and a layout included in an execution screenof an activity modified based on the configuration 780.

The configuration 780 may include information about the density (dpi),orientation (landscape or portrait), and total size of a screengenerated by the electronic device 400 and the size of the executionscreen of the application. The configuration 780 may correspond to theactivities included in the application.

The display info 790 may include information about a physical size(e.g., width and height) of a display.

FIG. 8 illustrates operations of a window management method of anelectronic device according to various embodiments.

Hereinafter, it is assumed that, according to some embodiments, theelectronic device 400 of FIG. 6 performs the process illustrated in FIG.8. Furthermore, it may be understood that, in some embodiments,operations set forth as being performed by the electronic device in thedescription of FIG. 8 are controlled by the processor 450 of theelectronic device 400.

Referring to the non-limiting example of FIG. 8, in operation 810, theelectronic device may determine whether the electronic device isconnected to an external display device. For example, the electronicdevice may determine whether the electronic device is connected to theexternal display device through an intermediary device or a cable. Inanother example, the electronic device may determine whether theelectronic device is wirelessly connected to the external displaydevice.

When it is determined that the electronic device is connected to theexternal display device, the electronic device may, in operation 820,modify screen configuration information. For example, the electronicdevice may modify information about the resolution, density, ororientation of a screen generated by the electronic device asappropriate for the external display device. The electronic device mayset the resolution, density, or orientation of the screen generated bythe electronic device to a specified value.

In operation 830, the electronic device may switch a first launcher to asecond launcher. For example, the electronic device, before connected tothe external display device, may execute the first launcher thatprovides a UI and UX for a touch screen display of the electronicdevice. The electronic device, when connected to the external displaydevice, may execute the second launcher that provides a UI and UX forthe external display device.

In operation 840, the electronic device may execute a targetapplication. For example, the electronic device may execute the targetapplication by selecting an application on a screen provided by thesecond launcher. In another example, the electronic device may maintainexecution of an application executed before the electronic device isconnected to the external display device.

In operation 850, the electronic device may determine whether the targetapplication supports resizing of a window. For example, the electronicdevice may determine whether the target application supports resizing ofa window, based on whether support of resizing is declared in a manifestof the target application, whether the target application is a preloadapplication or not, and/or whether the target application is included ina white list.

When it is determined that the target application supports resizing of awindow, the electronic device may, in operation 860, configure a firsttype of resizable window. For example, the electronic device maygenerate the first type of window, which displays an execution screen ofthe target application, on a screen generated based on the modifiedscreen configuration information. The first type of window may begenerated to be resizable.

In operation 870, the electronic device may display the first type ofwindow on the external display device. For example, the electronicdevice may display the execution screen of the target application in thefirst type of window. The electronic device may resize the first type ofwindow.

When it is determined that the target application does not supportresizing of a window, the electronic device may, in operation 880,configure a second type of window with a fixed size. For example, theelectronic device may generate the second type of window, which displaysthe execution screen of the target application, on the screen generatedbased on the modified screen configuration information. The second typeof window may be generated so as not to allow resizing.

In operation 890, the electronic device may display the second type ofwindow on the external display device. For example, the electronicdevice may display the execution screen of the target application in thesecond type of window. The electronic device may not allow resizing ofthe second type of window.

FIG. 9 illustrates s screen output by an electronic device according tocertain embodiments of this disclosure. FIG. 10 illustrates a screenprovided by an electronic device according to various embodiments ofthis disclosure. FIG. 11 illustrates a portion of a screen provided byan electronic device according to some embodiments.

Referring to the non-limiting example of FIG. 9, an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment, when connected to an external displaydevice, may output a home screen 900 through the external displaydevice. The home screen 900 may be provided by the desktop mode launcher750. The home screen 900 may be configured in a form suitable to outputthrough the external display device.

The home screen 900 may include, in a first area 910 and a second area920 thereof, shortcuts for applications. The home screen 900 may alsoinclude one or more shortcuts and/or one or more folders includingfiles. The home screen 900 may also provide functions, such asselection, shift, and/or reordering.

The home screen 900 may include a task bar 930. The task bar 930 mayinclude one or more function keys 940. When an input is applied to thefunction keys 940, the electronic device may execute functionscorresponding to the function keys 940. The task bar 930 may include oneor more shortcuts 950 for quick launch. The task bar 930 may include apanel 960 for displaying notifications, system states, or the like.

The task bar 930 may be disposed on a lower side of the home screen 900.The task bar 930 may also be disposed on a left, right, or upper side ofthe home screen 900. The task bar 930 may be hidden depending onexecuted applications or settings. The hidden task bar 930 may bedisplayed again when a mouse cursor moves to a specified area.

Referring to the non-limiting example of FIG. 10, an electronic deviceaccording to some embodiments, when connected to an external displaydevice, may output a home screen 1000 through the external displaydevice. The electronic device may display an app tray 1020 when an inputis applied to a function key 1010 of the home screen 1000. The app tray1020 may include shortcuts for all applications installed in theelectronic device and a search window for searching for an application.When a search term is entered into the search window of the app tray1020, the electronic device may search for an application matching thesearch term. When an input is applied to a shortcut displayed on the apptray 1020, an application corresponding to the shortcut may be executed.When a shortcut displayed on the app tray 1020 is dragged outside theapp tray 1020, a shortcut may be generated on the home screen 1000.

Referring to the non-limiting example of FIG. 11, the panel 960 includedin the home screen 900 may include a quick panel area 961. The quickpanel area 961 may include a notification area 962 for displayingnotifications occurred in the electronic device and a system state area963 for representing system states. The notification area 962 maydisplay arrival of messages, photographing, missed calls,application-related notifications, or the like. The system state area963 may display a notification set state, a Bluetooth connection state,a Wi-Fi connection state, a cellular network connection state, a batterylevel, or the like. The notification area 962 and the system state area963 may be collapsed. The reduced notification area 962 and the reducedsystem state area 963 may display some of the notifications and some ofthe system states, respectively. When an input is applied to anexpansion button 964 included in the panel 960, the notification area962 and the system state area 963 may be expanded.

When the input is applied to the expansion button 964, an expandednotification area 966 and an expanded system state area 967 may bedisplayed. The expanded notification area 966 may display morenotifications than the reduced notification area 962. The expandedsystem state area 967 may display more system states than the reducedsystem state area 963. When an input is applied to a reduction button968 included in an expanded panel 970, the expanded notification area966 and the expanded system state area 967 may be collapsed again.

FIG. 12 illustrates a screen provided by an electronic device accordingto certain embodiments of this disclosure.

Referring to the non-limiting example of FIG. 12, an electronic deviceaccording to some embodiments, when connected to an external displaydevice, may output a home screen 1200 through the external displaydevice. The home screen 1200 may include, for example, a first window1210, a second window 1220, and a third window 1230. The first window1210, the second window 1220, and the third window 1230 may include anexecution screen of a first application, an execution screen of a secondapplication, and an execution screen of a third application,respectively.

The first application may be, for example, an application that supportsresizing of a window. The first window 1210 may include the executionscreen of the first application and may be resized. When the firstwindow 1210 is resized, the electronic device may modify a configurationof the execution screen of the first application, based on the size ofthe first window 1210. The electronic device may modify, for example,the size and arrangement of images, text, and/or icons included in theexecution screen of the first application. In another example, theelectronic device, when connected to the external display device, maychange an execution mode of the first application. The electronicdevice, when receiving a request to execute the first application, mayidentify whether the electronic device is connected to the externaldisplay device. In the case where the electronic device is connected tothe external display device, the electronic device may execute the firstapplication in a first mode. In the case where the electronic device isdisconnected from the external display device, the electronic device mayexecute the first application in a second mode. A UI of the first modeand a UI of the second mode may differ from each other. The electronicdevice may change the execution mode of the first application if thereis a change in the connection state between the electronic device andthe external display device.

The second application may be, for example, an application that does notsupport resizing of a window. The execution screen of the secondapplication may have to be displayed in a portrait mode. The secondwindow 1220 may include the execution screen of the second application.The second window 1220 may be generated at a ratio corresponding to theportrait mode. Resizing of the second window 1220 may not be allowed.

The third application may be, for example, an application that does notsupport resizing of a window. The execution screen of the thirdapplication may have to be displayed in a landscape mode. The thirdwindow 1230 may include the execution screen of the third application.The third window 1230 may be generated at a ratio corresponding to thelandscape mode. Resizing of the third window 1230 may not be allowed.

According to some embodiments, when executing an application that doesnot support resizing of a window, the electronic device may decidewhether to execute the application in a portrait or landscape mode. Forexample, the electronic device may display an execution screen of theapplication in a portrait or landscape mode specified to correspond tothe application. In another example, the electronic device may displaythe execution screen of the application in the portrait or landscapemode in which the application was previously executed (in theorientation at the time of executing the application or in theorientation at the time of ending the application). Information aboutthe mode in which the application was previously executed may be storedin a white list.

According to certain embodiments, an application may recognize that anexecution screen of the application is displayed on the entire screen.For example, an application (e.g., the second application or the thirdapplication) that does not support resizing of a window may recognizethat an execution screen of the application is displayed on the entirescreen (e.g., the home screen 1200). For example, when the applicationis executed, the electronic device may convey, to the application,information about the size of a window (e.g., the second window 1220 orthe third window 1230) in which the application is displayed. Theapplication may recognize the received information about the size of thewindow as information about the size of the entire screen. In otherwords, the electronic device may fake out the application as if theexecution screen of the application is displayed on the entire screen.The application may render the execution screen of the application,recognizing that the execution screen of the application is displayed onthe entire screen. Since the electronic device provides the informationabout the size of the window to the application, the execution screen ofthe application may be rendered to fit the size of the window. Therendered screen may be output through the window.

FIG. 13 illustrates a screen provided by an electronic device accordingto some embodiments.

Referring to the non-limiting example of FIG. 13, an electronic device1310 according to some embodiments may execute a first application inthe foreground. The electronic device 1310 may display an executionscreen of the first application in a partial area of a touch screendisplay of the electronic device 1310. The electronic device 1310 mayexecute a second application in the foreground. The electronic device1310 may display an execution screen of the second application in apartial area of the touch screen display of the electronic device 1310.The first application and the second application may be displayed in amulti-window, and the first application may be focused. The electronicdevice 1310 may execute a third application in the background.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device 1310, whenconnected to an external display device 1320, may output a screenthrough the external display device 1320. While the screen is beingoutput through the external display device 1320, the electronic device1310 may not output a screen on the touch screen display thereof. Theelectronic device 1310 may end an application being executed when theelectronic device 1310 is connected to the external display device 1320and thereafter may execute the application again, or the electronicdevice 1310 may display an execution screen of the application withoutending the application. The electronic device 1310 may display, in afirst window 1321, the execution screen of the first application beingexecuted in the foreground when the electronic device 1310 is connectedto the external display device 1320 and may display, in a second window1322, the execution screen of the second application being executed inthe foreground. The electronic device 1310 may display, above the secondwindow 1322, the first window 1321 that displays the execution screen ofthe first application focused when the electronic device 1310 isconnected to the external display device 1320. The electronic device1310 may not display an execution screen of the third applicationexecuted in the background. The electronic device 1310 may display icons1323 corresponding to all the applications, that is, the first to thirdapplications, respectively, which are being executed when the electronicdevice 1310 is connected to the external display device 1320. Theelectronic device 1310 may display the execution screen of the thirdapplication when the icon corresponding to the third application, amongthe icons 1323, is selected.

FIG. 14 illustrates a resizable window included in a screen provided byan electronic device according to various embodiments.

Referring to the non-limiting example of FIG. 14, an electronic deviceaccording to various embodiments may display a home screen 1400. Thehome screen 1400 may include a window 1410 that displays an executionscreen of an application. The application may be an application thatsupports resizing. The window 1410 may be a first type of window. Thewindow 1410 may include, in a header at the top thereof, buttons forexecuting functions, such as back, change to default size, maximize,close, and the like. The window 1410 may be resized depending on a userinput. When an input for resizing the window 1410 is applied, theelectronic device may display a blue boundary line on the periphery ofthe window 1410. A maximum size and a minimum size of the window 1410may be limited. When an input for increasing the size of the window 1410is applied after the window 1410 is expanded to the maximum size, orwhen an input for reducing the size of the window 1410 is applied afterthe window 1410 is reduced to the minimum size, the electronic devicemay display a red boundary line on the periphery of the window 1410 toinform a user that the window 1410 cannot be resized. After the window1410 is resized, contents, such as images, text, and the like, which areincluded in the execution screen of the application may be rearranged tofit the size of the window 1410. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 14,text arranged in two rows in the window 1410 may be rearranged in a rowwhen the window 1410 increases in size.

FIG. 15 illustrates a fixed window included in a screen provided by anelectronic device according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

Referring to the non-limiting example of FIG. 15, an electronic deviceaccording to some embodiments of this disclosure may generate a firstwindow 1510 that includes an execution screen of an application. Theapplication may be an application that does not support resizing. Thefirst window 1510 may be a second type of window. Resizing of the firstwindow 1510 may not be allowed. When an input for resizing the firstwindow 1510 is applied, the electronic device may display a red boundaryline on the periphery of the first window 1510 to inform a user that thefirst window 1510 cannot be resized.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device may configure anadditional window that displays information about the second type ofwindow or a UI for control of the second type of window, and may displaythe additional window on an external display device such that theadditional window is adjacent to the second type of window. For example,the electronic device may generate a second window 1520. The electronicdevice may dispose the second window 1520 near the top of the firstwindow 1510. The second window 1520 may include buttons for performingfunctions, such as turn, back, minimize, close, and the like, on thefirst window 1510. The turn button may be included in the second window1520 only in the case where the application displayed in the firstwindow 1510 supports change of orientation (a portrait mode and alandscape mode). The turn button may not be included in the secondwindow 1520 if the application displayed in the first window 1510 doesnot support change of orientation. The second window 1520 may displayinformation, such as name, of the application displayed in the firstwindow 1510.

FIG. 16 illustrates aspects of a transformation of coordinates by anelectronic device according to various embodiments of this disclosure.

According to some embodiments, when an input is applied to a point in asecond type of window, an electronic device may recognize coordinateswhere the input is applied, may transform the recognized coordinates,based on modified screen configuration information and the position ofthe second type of window, and may execute an operation of a targetapplication that corresponds to the input to the transformedcoordinates.

Referring to the non-limiting example of FIG. 16, the electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment, when connected to an external displaydevice, may output a home screen 1600 through the external displaydevice. The home screen 1600 may include a window 1610 that includes anexecution screen of an application. The window 1610 may be the secondtype of window, and the application may be an application that does notsupport resizing of the window 1610. The electronic device may receive auser input to a first point 1611 that is intended for an input to abutton 1612 in the window 1610. The electronic device may convey, to theapplication displayed in the window 1610, coordinates (e.g., (a, b)) ofthe user input to the first point 1611.

The application displayed in the second type of window may recognizethat the application is displayed on the entire screen. Based on thereceived coordinates, the application may determine that the user inputis input to a second point 1621. The electronic device may transform thecoordinates, based on information about the resolution, density, andorientation of the home screen 1600 and information about the positionof the window 1610. For example, the electronic device may transform thecoordinates (a, b) into coordinates (x′, y′). The electronic device mayconvey the transformed coordinates to the application displayed in thewindow 1610, and the application may recognize an input to a third point1622 and may execute an operation corresponding to the input to thethird point 1622.

FIG. 17 illustrates aspects of a determination of screen orientation byan electronic device according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

According to certain embodiments, a target application may include aplurality of executable activities, and when one activity of theplurality of activities is executed, an electronic device may display anexecution screen of the one activity in the same orientation as theorientation in which an execution screen of an activity executed priorto the one activity is displayed.

Referring to the non-limiting example of FIG. 17, the electronic devicemay execute an application and then execute a plurality of activitiesincluded in the application. The electronic device may execute a firstactivity. The electronic device may display an execution screen of thefirst activity in a first window 1710. The first activity may bedisplayed in only a landscape mode. The first window 1710 may begenerated in the horizontal orientation to display the first activity.

The electronic device may execute a second activity after the firstactivity is executed. The second activity may be displayed in a portraitor landscape mode. The electronic device may display an execution screenof the second activity in a second window 1720. Since the secondactivity supports both the landscape mode and the portrait mode, theelectronic device may generate the second window 1720 in the sameorientation as that of the first window 1710 in which the executionscreen of the first activity executed prior to the second activity isdisplayed. The second window 1720 may be generated in the horizontalorientation to display the second activity.

The electronic device may execute a third activity after the secondactivity is executed. The electronic device may display an executionscreen of the third activity in a third window 1730. The third activitymay be displayed in only a portrait mode. The third window 1730 may begenerated in the vertical orientation to display the third activity,irrespective of the second window 1720.

The electronic device may execute the second activity again after thethird activity is executed. The electronic device may display anexecution screen of the second activity in a fourth window 1740. Sincethe second activity supports both the landscape mode and the portraitmode, the electronic device may generate the fourth window 1740 in thesame orientation as that of the third window 1730 in which the executionscreen of the third activity executed prior to the second activity isdisplayed. The fourth window 1740 may be generated in the verticalorientation to display the second activity.

The electronic device may execute the first activity again after thethird activity is executed. The electronic device may display anexecution screen of the first activity in a fifth window 1750. Since thefirst activity is displayed in only the landscape mode, the fifth window1750 may be generated in the horizontal orientation to display the firstactivity, irrespective of the fourth window 1740.

For the convenience of description, the activities are illustrated inthe non-limiting example of FIG. 17 as being displayed in the first tofifth windows 1710 to 1750. However, the first to fifth windows 1710 to1750 may, according to some embodiments, be the same window. Forexample, the second window 1720 may be the same window as the firstwindow 1710, the third window 1730 may be transformed from the secondwindow 1720, the fourth window 1740 may be the same window as the thirdwindow 1730, and the fifth window 1750 may be transformed from thefourth window 1740.

According to at least one embodiment, where the electronic deviceexecutes an activity that supports both a landscape mode and a portraitmode, the electronic device may display an execution screen of theactivity in a specified mode of the landscape and portrait modes if ahistory of an activity executed prior to the activity does not exist.

FIG. 18 illustrates aspects of a change of image orientation by anelectronic device according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

Referring to the non-limiting example of FIG. 18, an electronic deviceaccording to certain embodiments, when connected to an external displaydevice, may output a home screen 1800 through the external displaydevice. The home screen 1800 may include a window 1810. The window 1810may include an execution screen of a camera application. The window 1810may display, for example, a preview image taken by a camera of theelectronic device.

The electronic device, when connected to the external display devicewith the horizontal sides longer than the vertical sides, may generatethe home screen 1800 in the horizontal orientation. In this case,although the electronic device actually takes an image in the state inwhich the electronic device is placed in the vertical orientation, theelectronic device may recognize that the electronic device is placed inthe horizontal orientation. The camera application may recognize thatthe electronic device is placed in the horizontal orientation, and maydisplay a horizontal preview image in the window 1810, as illustrated ona left side of FIG. 18.

To prevent the preview image from being displayed in an orientationdifferent from the actual orientation of the electronic device, theelectronic device may, in some embodiments, change the orientation ofthe preview image in the case where the camera application is executedin the state in which the electronic device is placed in the verticalorientation. For example, as illustrated on a right side of FIG. 18, theelectronic device may rotate the preview image by 90 degrees in thecounterclockwise direction and may display the rotated image in thewindow 1810.

An electronic device according to at least one embodiment of thisdisclosure may include a touch screen display, an input/output interfaceconnected to an external display device, a communication circuit incommunication with a server, a memory, and a processor electricallyconnected to the touch screen display, the input/output interface, thecommunication circuit, and the memory. The processor may modify screenconfiguration information associated with at least a part of aresolution, a density, and an orientation of a screen output by theelectronic device if the electronic device is connected to the externaldisplay device through the input/output interface, may determine whethera target application to be displayed on the external display devicesupports resizing of a window that displays an execution screen of thetarget application, may configure a first type of window which isresizable, based on the modified screen configuration information andthe execution screen of the target application if the target applicationsupports the resizing, may configure a second type of window with afixed size, based on the modified screen configuration information andthe execution screen of the target application if the target applicationdoes not support the resizing, and may display the first type of windowor the second type of window on the external display device.

According to at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the processormay modify the screen configuration information if the electronic deviceis connected to an intermediary device that is connectable to theexternal display device through the input/output interface.

According to some embodiments, the processor may modify the screenconfiguration information if the electronic device is connected to theexternal display device through a cable connected to the input/outputinterface.

According to certain embodiments, the processor may modify the screenconfiguration information to a specified value if the electronic deviceis connected to the external display device through the input/outputinterface.

According to various embodiments, the processor may modify the screenconfiguration information, based on information about the externaldisplay device if the electronic device is connected to the externaldisplay device through the input/output interface.

According to at least one embodiment, the memory may store a firstlauncher for the touch screen display and a second launcher for theexternal display device, and the processor may execute the firstlauncher if the electronic device is disconnected from the externaldisplay device and may execute the second launcher if the electronicdevice is connected to the external display device through theinput/output interface.

According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the processor maydetermine whether an application being executed in the electronic devicewhen the electronic device is connected to the external display deviceor an application executed after the electronic device is connected tothe external display device supports the resizing.

According to certain embodiments of this disclosure, the processor maydetermine whether the target application supports the resizing, based oninformation included in a manifest of the target application.

According to various embodiments, the processor may determine whetherthe target application supports the resizing, based on whether thetarget application is a preload application or not.

According to at least one embodiment, the processor may determinewhether the target application supports the resizing, based on a listreceived from the server.

According to some embodiments, the processor may configure the secondtype of window having the same size as the touch screen display.

According to some embodiments, the processor may recognize coordinatesof an input applied to a point in the second type of window, maytransform the recognized coordinates, based on the modified screenconfiguration information and a position of the second type of window,and may execute an operation of the target application that correspondsto the input to the transformed coordinates.

According to at least one embodiment, the processor may configure anadditional window that displays information about the second type ofwindow or a user interface (UI) for control of the second type of windowand may display the additional window near the second type of window onthe external display device.

According to certain embodiments, the target application may include aplurality of executable activities, and if one activity of the pluralityof activities is executed, the processor may display an execution screenof the one activity in the same orientation as an orientation in whichan execution screen of an activity executed prior to the activity isdisplayed.

A window management method of an electronic device, according to variousembodiments of this disclosure, may include modifying screenconfiguration information associated with at least a part of aresolution, a density, and an orientation of a screen displayed on theelectronic device if the electronic device is connected to an externaldisplay device, determining whether a target application to be displayedon the external display device supports resizing of a window thatdisplays an execution screen of the target application, configuring afirst type of window which is resizable, based on the modified screenconfiguration information and the execution screen of the targetapplication if the target application supports the resizing, configuringa second type of window with a fixed size, based on the modified screenconfiguration information and the execution screen of the targetapplication if the target application does not support the resizing, anddisplaying the first type of window or the second type of window on theexternal display device.

An electronic device according to some embodiments may include a housingincluding a first surface and a second surface facing away from thefirst surface, a touch screen display exposed through a portion of thefirst surface, at least one communication circuit positioned inside thehousing, at least one processor positioned inside the housing andelectrically connected to the touch screen display and the at least onecommunication circuit, and a memory positioned inside the housing andelectrically connected to the at least one processor. The memory maystore a first application program including a first type of userinterface that provides at least one piece of information about whethera window can be resized, which orientation the window can have, and/or aresolution on the touch screen display and a second application programincluding a second type of user interface that provides at least onepiece of information about whether the window can be resized, whichorientation the window can have, and/or the resolution on the touchscreen display. The memory may store instructions that, when executed,cause the at least one processor to detect that the electronic device isin communication with an external display device via the at least onecommunication circuit, to provide data to the external display devicevia the at least one communication circuit for rendering a userinterface on the external display device, upon detecting that theelectronic device is in communication with the external display device,to cause the external display device to display a first window that isvariable in size, orientation, and/or resolution if the data isassociated with the first application program, and to cause the externaldisplay device to display a second window with a selected fixed size,orientation, and/or resolution if the data is associated with the secondapplication program.

According to at least one embodiment, the selected fixed size may besubstantially the same as a size of the touch screen display.

According to various embodiments, the instructions may cause the atleast one processor to determine whether an application program includesthe first type of user interface or the second type of user interface,based at least partly on information obtained from an external servervia the at least one communication circuit.

According to some embodiments, the first window may include a first setof buttons to modify the first window, the second window may include asecond set of buttons to modify the second window, and the second set ofbuttons may be different from the first set of buttons.

According to certain embodiments, the first application program mayallow resizing of the window, and the second application program may notallow the resizing of the window.

The term “module” used in this disclosure may represent, for example, aunit including one or more combinations of hardware, software andfirmware. The term “module” may be interchangeably used with the terms“unit”, “logic”, “logical block”, “component” and “circuit”. The“module” may be a minimum unit of an integrated component or may be apart thereof. The “module” may be a minimum unit for performing one ormore functions or a part thereof. The “module” may be implementedmechanically or electronically. For example, the “module” may include atleast one of an application-specific IC (ASIC) chip, afield-programmable gate array (FPGA), and a programmable-logic devicefor performing some operations, which are known or will be developed.

At least a part of an apparatus (e.g., modules or functions thereof) ora method (e.g., operations) according to various embodiments may be, forexample, implemented by instructions stored in a computer-readablestorage media in the form of a program module. The instruction, whenexecuted by a processor (e.g., the processor 120), may cause the one ormore processors to perform a function corresponding to the instruction.The computer-readable storage media, for example, may be the memory 130.

A computer-readable recording medium may include a hard disk, a floppydisk, a magnetic media (e.g., a magnetic tape), an optical media (e.g.,a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) and a digital versatile disc(DVD), a magneto-optical media (e.g., a floptical disk)), and hardwaredevices (e.g., a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM),or a flash memory). Also, the one or more instructions may contain acode made by a compiler or a code executable by an interpreter. Theabove hardware unit may be configured to operate via one or moresoftware modules for performing an operation according to variousembodiments, and vice versa.

A module or a program module according to various embodiments mayinclude at least one of the above elements, or a part of the aboveelements may be omitted, or additional other elements may be furtherincluded. Operations performed by a module, a program module, or otherelements according to various embodiments may be executed sequentially,in parallel, repeatedly, or in a heuristic method. In addition, someoperations may be executed in different sequences or may be omitted.Alternatively, other operations may be added.

Although the present disclosure has been described with variousembodiments, various changes and modifications may be suggested to oneskilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompasssuch changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a touch screendisplay; an input/output interface connected to an external displaydevice; a communication circuit in communication with a server; amemory; and a processor electrically connected to the touch screendisplay, the input/output interface, the communication circuit, and thememory, wherein the processor is configured to: modify screenconfiguration information associated with at least a part of aresolution, a density, and an orientation of a screen output by theelectronic device if the electronic device is connected to the externaldisplay device through the input/output interface; determine whether atarget application to be displayed on the external display devicesupports resizing of a window that displays an execution screen of thetarget application; configure a first type of window which is resizable,based on the modified screen configuration information and the executionscreen of the target application if the target application supportsresizing, configure a second type of window with a fixed size, based onthe modified screen configuration information and the execution screenof the target application if the target application does not supportresizing; and display the first type of window or the second type ofwindow on the external display device.
 2. The electronic device of claim1, wherein the processor is configured to modify the screenconfiguration information if the electronic device is connected to anintermediary device that is connectable to the external display devicethrough the input/output interface.
 3. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the processor is configured to modify the screen configurationinformation if the electronic device is connected to the externaldisplay device through a cable connected to the input/output interface.4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configuredto modify the screen configuration information to a specified value ifthe electronic device is connected to the external display devicethrough the input/output interface.
 5. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the processor is configured to modify the screen configurationinformation, based on information about the external display device ifthe electronic device is connected to the external display devicethrough the input/output interface.
 6. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the memory stores a first launcher for the touch screen displayand a second launcher for the external display device, and wherein theprocessor is configured to: execute the first launcher if the electronicdevice is disconnected from the external display device; and execute thesecond launcher if the electronic device is connected to the externaldisplay device through the input/output interface.
 7. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determinewhether an application being executed in the electronic device when theelectronic device is connected to the external display device or anapplication executed after the electronic device is connected to theexternal display device supports resizing.
 8. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine whether thetarget application supports resizing, based on information included in amanifest of the target application.
 9. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the processor is configured to determine whether the targetapplication supports resizing, based on whether the target applicationis a preload application or not.
 10. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the processor is configured to determine whether the targetapplication supports resizing, based on a list received from the server.11. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the processor isconfigured to configure the second type of window having the same sizeas the touch screen display.
 12. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the processor is configured to: recognize coordinates of aninput applied to a point in the second type of window; transform therecognized coordinates based on the modified screen configurationinformation and a position of the second type of window; and execute anoperation of the target application that corresponds to the input to thetransformed coordinates.
 13. The electronic device of claim 1, whereinthe processor is configured to: configure an additional window thatdisplays information about the second type of window or a user interface(UI) for control of the second type of window; and display theadditional window near the second type of window on the external displaydevice.
 14. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the targetapplication includes a plurality of executable activities, and whereinthe processor is configured to, if one activity of the plurality ofexecutable activities is executed, display an execution screen of theone activity in the same orientation as an orientation in which anexecution screen of an activity executed prior to the one activity isdisplayed.
 15. A window management method of an electronic device, themethod comprising: modifying screen configuration information associatedwith at least a part of a resolution, a density, and an orientation of ascreen displayed on the electronic device if the electronic device isconnected to an external display device; determining whether a targetapplication to be displayed on the external display device supportsresizing of a window that displays an execution screen of the targetapplication; configuring a first type of window which is resizable,based on the modified screen configuration information and the executionscreen of the target application if the target application supportsresizing, configuring a second type of window with a fixed size, basedon the modified screen configuration information and the executionscreen of the target application if the target application does notsupport resizing; and displaying the first type of window or the secondtype of window on the external display device.
 16. An electronic devicecomprising: a housing including a first surface and a second surfacefacing away from the first surface; a touch screen display exposedthrough a portion of the first surface; at least one communicationcircuit positioned inside the housing; at least one processor positionedinside the housing and electrically connected to the touch screendisplay and the at least one communication circuit; and a memorypositioned inside the housing and electrically connected to the at leastone processor, wherein the memory is configured to store: a firstapplication program including a first type of user interface thatprovides at least one piece of information about whether a window can beresized, which orientation the window can have, and/or a resolution onthe touch screen display; and a second application program including asecond type of user interface that provides at least one piece ofinformation about whether the window can be resized, which orientationthe window can have, and/or the resolution on the touch screen display,and wherein the memory stores instructions that, when executed, causethe at least one processor to: detect that the electronic device is incommunication with an external display device via the at least onecommunication circuit; provide data to the external display device viathe at least one communication circuit for rendering a user interface onthe external display device, upon detecting that the electronic deviceis in communication with the external display device; cause the externaldisplay device to display a first window that is variable in size,orientation, and/or resolution if the data is associated with the firstapplication program; and cause the external display device to display asecond window with a selected fixed size, orientation, and/or resolutionif the data is associated with the second application program.
 17. Theelectronic device of claim 16, wherein the selected fixed size issubstantially the same as a size of the touch screen display.
 18. Theelectronic device of claim 16, wherein the instructions cause the atleast one processor to determine whether an application program includesthe first type of user interface or the second type of user interface,based at least partly on information obtained from an external servervia the at least one communication circuit.
 19. The electronic device ofclaim 16, wherein the first window includes a first set of buttons tomodify the first window, wherein the second window includes a second setof buttons to modify the second window, and wherein the second set ofbuttons is different from the first set of buttons.
 20. The electronicdevice of claim 16, wherein the first application program is configuredto allow resizing of the window, and wherein the second applicationprogram is configured not to allow the resizing of the window.